Reflection 2

The Organization of Information course helped bolster my understanding of the ALA Core Competences. My artifact for the course illustrates how I learned to create and provide detailed descriptions and combine them with my knowledge of search engines and database structures to evaluate and organize data for items in a collection critically. Social Informatics taught me how to identify better socio-technical gaps that occur when technology is implemented. The class also taught me to look for ways in which I can help mitigate and manage these socio-technical gaps. I also gained a position in the makerlab I was volunteering at. 

From this experience, I have been training in reference and user services, including using SirsiDynex’s WorkFlows and having successful customer interactions. The Information Resources and Services for Young Adults course has helped me tremendously in assisting young adults who visit the library I work. From the course, I have learned how to interact with teens better and provide better instructions and assistance when information searching. One of the assignments from the course was to create a program for teens. I created a program that would turn the library into an escape room setup where teams would interact not only with the books in the library but with staff to help them learn about available services and have a way to introduce them to the staff. I mentioned the program idea to my supervisor, which will be implemented at our library next year. I have also expanded my network of librarians outside the library location where I currently work, the entire library system, and those in the community.

Reference

American Library Association. (2023). 2022 ALA core competences of librarianship_final. In American Library Association. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://www.ala.org/educationcareers/sites/ala.org.educationcareers/files/content/2022%20ALA%20Core%20Competences%20of%20Librarianship_FINAL.pdf